Dual hopper valve



Oct. 20, 1964 p, HEIDER 3,153,494

DUAL HOPPER VALVE Filed Nov. 8, 1961 INVEN TOR.

PAUL E. HEIDER w ww ATTORNEYJ United States Patent 3,153,494 DUAL HQPPER VALVE Paul E. lieider, Carroll, Iowa Filed Nov. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 159,947 8 (llaims. (Cl. Z22-l36) This invention is a dual hopper Valve that is particularly well adapted to use with a self unloading hopper structure for agricultural products. It employs a pair of curved shut oil plates one of which is supported by solid sector elements and the other by relieved sector elements so they may nest together when the valve is in the open position. Other featured structure includes a relieved bottom in both hopper sections at the point where the valve shuts off to minimize bridging or arching of the material in the hopper which prevents flow of materials.

In attempting to evolve a control valve for a dual hopper self emptying device of the type wherein conveying structure in the bottom of the device is selectively separated from or connected to the hoppers above it, several serious difficulties were encountered. In the first place, in devising such dual hoppers for use with a wide range of materials of varying characteristics such as ground feed which is light but packs and bridges easily and heavy grains such as shelled corn; the requirements are rather contradictory to each other. In the case of materials such as the ground feed which bridges easily, a wide opening in the bottom of the hopper is needed in order to allow it to feed without bridging. For this type of material a large valve opening is required. In the case of heavy materials such as ground corn on the other hand, while bridging is not a problem, the weight of the material bearing down against the valve requires substantial strength. While the strength of the units can be aided by narrowing the opening through which the material feeds and thereby reducing the total application of force to the shut off valve structure, the valve is then inadequate for the rough, easily bridging ground feed materials. When the valve mouth is wide enough to effectively dispense ground feed, then the burden on the valve when closed and used with shelled corn or other heavy agricultural materials is extremely great.

Numerous unsuccessful attempts to resolve these different requirements into a single practical valve preceded the structure disclosed herein.

A previously used satisfactory structure for a single gate valve was a pivoted curved gate that could be moved under a shield to open the valve could not merely be duplicated to solve this problem. When the original device was separated into two separately controlled gates, a conflict between the requirements for the valve opening and holding the total valve structure to a reasonable size became apparent. When two of these sector supported gates were placed size by side they occupied an undersirably large amount of space in the hoppers if the openings they were to close were large enough to allow materials that tend to bridge to flow smoothly. On the other hand when the valve was reduced to a resonable size, the sectors were so narrow that the size of openings they could shut seriously limited the extent to which the valve could admit materials that had a tendency to bridge. Accordingly other types of valve structures were tried.

For example, one structure that was tried was a sliding gate unit which by reason of a wide mouth requirement of the valve had to move a substantial distance. Support across the substantial gap beneath the sliding valve proved essential if it were to withstand the weight of such items as shelled corn. These supports, which consisted to rods spaced and fixed to the hoppers and shield at intervals underneath the gate members and extending across the valve mouth when the gate was opened, pro- Patented Oct. 20, 1964 ICC vided just enough additional interference with the lighter materials such as ground feed to result in serious bridging difiiculties.

An attempt was next made to modify the sliding valve as to be actuated by a series of levers secured to a shaft that could be pivoted to slide the gate to and from the shield and yet support the gate only, with mechanism that retracted with it. It was found that the pivoting linkage necessary to move a sliding valve structure far enough to allow it to open up as far as necessary for the lighter materials also required an arc in the actuating lever which caused the gate to rise slightly during its travel. While this tendency of the gate to rise sligl tly caused no trouble when moving the gate from a position under the shield, it became a liability at times. When shelled corn or other heavy grains were placed in the hopper, the leverage that could be applied by an operator on this type of gate proved inadequate under some normal conditons. In preliminary tests even with heavy grain in the hopper it could still be manipulated. When such heavy materials were transported and joggled in the moving vehicle and in this manner packed into a solid contact with the valve gate, it proved impossible to open. After many fruitless attempts to make sliding valves operate successively the eifort was abandoned.

These examples are merely illustrative of the many dilferent eiforts that were made to evolve a satisfactory dual valve before it was decided to duplicate the sector supported single valve previously used. It was assumed that the valve would have to be made large enough to provide adequate openings and with a consequent loss in storage space in the hoppers. Such a solution was far from desirable, however, and the hope continued that it would be possible to resolve this conflict between the large opening valve and the space restriction requirement. Suddenly the idea suggested itself that the requirements in strength and space might be resolved if the two gates could partially nest together. A valve was so made and after some experimentation proved workable. Further improvements resulted in the disclosure made herein.

Accordingly it is the principal object of this invention to provide a novel dual hopper valve structure.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dual hopper valve structure for agricultural products that will avoid bridging of light materials while providing adequate strength for heavy materials.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dual hopper valve structure that is economical to construct.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a dual hopper valve structure of the type set out above in which the two gates of the valve may be operated independently of each other.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a dual hopper valve for agricultural materials which by reason of the use of a relieved and solid sector element to support curved gate plates can provide both the strength to resist heavy materials and the width of opening necessary for lighter materials particularly when such gates are used in combination with a hopper box structure that is relievedf beginning at a point just below the gate opening for each portion of the valve.

Still other objects are inherent in the specific structures illustrated and described herein.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out'in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

The invention is illustrated by the drawings in which 3 the same numerals refer to corresponding parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section taken above the shield of a dual hopper constructed according to the invention with portions of the structure broken away to illustrate internal parts clearly; broken lines illustrate hidden parts;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1 drawn to the same scale;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary showing of the structure of the gate valve as seen in FIGURE 2 with the valve gate shown in the closed position; broken lines illustrate hidden and adjusted positions of parts.

FIGURE 4 is a still further enlarged detailed view of the valve control handle lock taken as shown at 4-4 in FIGURE 3.

Referring first to FIGURE 1 the invention is illustrated as incorporated in a wagon box Lil supported on usual wheels 12 and provided with a draft tongue 12. The sides of the box extend straight down for a ways to slanting lower portions 14 and 14. A central portion 15 divides the wagon box into two hoppers. At the bottom of the central portion is the shield 16 below which a suitable conveying means here shown as the feed auger 17. Material may be conveyed by auger 17 to one end of the box and into a boot such as the one 18 in FIGURE 1. The boot connects to an elevator 19 by means of which material emptied from the hoppers can be raised in order to be recirculated in the hoppers for mixing or discharged at a place of use. The forward end of the anger is connected to the usual drive shaft 29 by means of which power can be applied to the auger system, auger 17 being interconnected with elevator 19 for purposes of driving the latter.

Sides 14 and 14' as appear clearly at 21 and 21', FIGURES 2 and 3, are relieved to provide additional space for light materials adjacent the gate structure to fall away from the gate opening point and thus minimize bridging.

Beneath shield in are supported pivotally a pair of gates or shut off plates designated 22 and 24 respectively. Gate plate 24 is supported at intervals along its length by sectors 25. The sectors are pivotally supported by the rod or shaft 26 that is appropriately journalled in the bearings such as the one 27 at the front end of the wagon box or hopper. A similar bearing at the rear is obscured by the gate operating mechanism. Relieved sector elements 29, which support gate plate 22, are likewise supported on a shaft this one designated 30 which is pivotally supported in the bearings such as the one 39 that is comparable to 27 in FIGURE 1. Shaft 3i also has a rear bearing (not shown) as in the case of shaft 26.

As seen in FIGURE 2, the solid sector elements can pivot into and nest inside to some extent the relieved sector elements 29 which permits both of the gate plates 22-24- to be withdrawn under shield 16 to allow both,

valves to be open. On the other hand when the plates 22 and 24 are swung outward by means of rotating their respective shafts 2-3tl it is possible for the plates 22 and 24 to completely close the two valve openings. The two shafts 26-3h are provided with operating handles conveniently arranged adjacent elevating auger 19.

The control handle for shaft 26 is designated 34 and for 30 the handle control is 35. These control handles are connected directly to the shaft members 26 and 30 and simply pivot them to the position shown either in FIGURE 2 or FIGURE 3 depending on the desired results. Also of course the gate plate 24 may be moved to the position shown in FIGURE 2 while the gate plate 32 remains in the position shown in FIGURE 3 and viceversa, as separate operating handles makes it possible to move the gate plates independently. When the gate plates are placed as shown in FIGURE 3, they remain in this position by the force of gravity. When the gates are to remain open, however, some structure must be provided for holding them in that position.

This structure is shown clearly in FIGURE 4 where a pair of bearing elements designated 36 and 37 pivotally support a wire member 33. The wire member is provided with a notch 39 for engaging handle 35. This wire can be pivoted up to lie alongside of the end 4% of wagon box It] in which position the operating handles are free to swing down to place the gates in the position shown in FIGURE 3. When the handle is raised to the position to open the valve as shown in FIGURE 2, the upper fragmentary broken lines positions illustrated in FIGURE 3 will illustrate a position of the handle. Handles are also shown in the open position in FIGURE 1. Under these circumstances the wire notch 39 engages handle 35 and a similar wire 41 holds the handle 34 in a vertical position. Bearings for the wire 41 are designated 42 and 44 respectively. Each of the Wires has a bent end thereon as at 45 for wires 33 and 46 for wire 41 which prevents the wire from pivoting downward beyond the horizontal position illustrated in FIGURE 4.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbeiore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dual hopper with control valves comprising a pair of adjacent hoppers separated by a common partition, a shield secured to the bottom of said common partition, a conveying means below and spaced from said shield, the edges of said shield and sides of the hoppers adjacent thereto defining valve openings, two independently movable valve gates movably secured to said hoppers between said conveying means and said shield, means for moving said gates under said shield and extending them therefrom selectively, said gates partially overlapping each other when both are in a position below said shield.

2. The dual hopper and valves of claim 1 in which the hoppers are relieved at a point commencing just below the valve openings.

3. The dual hopper and valves of claim 2 in which one of said gates is supported by pivoted sectors and the other of said gates having pivoted relieved sectors into which said pivoted sectors may partially nest.

4. The dual hopper and valves of claim 1 in which one of said gates is supported by pivoted sectors and the other of said gates having pivoted relieved sectors into which said pivoted sectors may partially nest.

5. A dual control valve for use with hoppers having portions that approach each other, a shield mounted between said hoppers where they approach each other, two valve gates movably mounted below said shield, means secured to said gates for moving them under said shield and extending them therefrom selectively, said gates partially overlapping each other when both are in a position below said shield.

6. The dual hopper valve of claim 5 in which one of said gates is supported by pivoted sectors and the other of said gates by pivoted relieved sectors into which said pivoted sectors may partially nest.

7. A dual hopper valve comprising a shield, adapted to being positioned nearer the openings of two hoppers and between them and defining in part a hopper valve opening for each of the two hoppers, two shafts pivotally mounted below said shield and spaced from each other, a plurality of sectors secured to one of said shafts and spaced axially along its length, a curved shut ofi plate secured to the top of said sectors and supported thereby, means secured to said shaft for pivoting it, a plurality of relieved sectors secured to said other shaft, a second curved shut off plate secured to and supported by said relieved sectors, and means for pivoting said other shaft,

said relieved sectors having their relieved portions facing said first mentioned sectors whereby said first mentioned sectors may partially nest under said relieved sectors when both of said shafts are pivoted as to carry their respective sectors and relieved sectors under said shield.

8. A materials handling apparatus for agricultural products such as grain comprising in combination first and second hoppers each including side and end walls, said hoppers being positioned adjacent to each other, a substantially vertical partition between said hoppers, a shield secured 'to the bottom of said partition, said shield comprising a first shield portion extending downwardly from the lower end of said partition and outwardly therefrom in a first direction and a second shield portion connected to the lower end of said partition and extending downwardly therefrom and outwardly in the opposite direction, the lower edges of said shield portions andfthe adjacent side edges of said hoppers defining first and second valve openings, said apparatus including a chamber below said shield communicating between said first and second 7 shield and a second valve gate mounted within said cham her for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between a first position blocking said second valve opening and a second position beneath said shield.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 698,146 Smith Apr. 22, 1902 2,601,608 Hansen June 24, 1952 2,823,834 Buschmann Feb. 18, 1958 3,040,939 McCo-llough June 26, 1962 

5. A DUAL CONTROL VALVE FOR USE WITH HOPPERS HAVING PORTIONS THAT APPROACH EACH OTHER, A SHIELD MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID HOPPERS WHERE THEY APPROACH EACH OTHER, TWO VALVE GATES MOVABLY MOUNTED BELOW SAID SHIELD, MEANS SECURED TO SAID GATES FOR MOVING THEM UNDER SAID SHIELD AND EXTENDING THEM THEREFROM SELECTIVELY, SAID GATES PARTIALLY OVERLAPPING EACH OTHER WHEN BOTH ARE IN A POSITION BELOW SAID SHIELD. 